Energy
The New Bauhaus: culture as a path to a better Europe
The New European Bauhaus initiative aims to use the creativity of Europe to meet the European Green Deal targets. It encourages us to think outside of the box for a better Europe, write Mariya Gabriel and Domènec Ruiz Devesa.
How to solve the Nord Stream 2 dilemma
If Gazprom could be persuaded to increase gas transit revenues for Ukraine, that would give the Biden administration a reason not to impose sanctions to block Nord Stream 2’s completion and ammunition to fend off criticism from those who want...
Unlocking electrification through rebalancing levies and taxes
The EU needs to look at rebalancing taxes and levies on electricity to match falls in its carbon intensity and incentivise people to transition to more environmentally friendly energy, writes Jan Rosenow.
New energy labels: the energy transition starts at home
As of 1 March, consumers will find new, revamped labels on dishwashers, washing machines, fridges and televisions. But to reach our climate ambitions, the European Commission must introduce A-G dedicated energy labels for all products responsible for high energy consumption, write Mélissa Zill and Jean-Pierre Schweitzer.
The Energy Charter Treaty supports investment in renewables
The oft maligned Energy Charter Treaty is not the obstacle to renewable energy that some make it out to be, writes Tomas Vail.
Texas power outage: lessons from the EU regulators’ perspective
The devastating events in Texas show the potential energy security risks of extreme weather, but also the benefit of the interconnected European energy grid, writes Christian Zinglersen.
Real-life drama: lessons for Europe from a Texas tragedy
The unprecedented freeze in Texas that left over a million people without heating has been seized upon for political gain, but there are lessons that Europe can learn from this, writes Michael Hogan.
Why the Commission is getting it wrong on climate number-crunching
The European Commission's cost-benefit analysis for its upcoming 'Fit for 55' package of green laws for 2030 is outdated, assuming an eye-watering 10% cost of capital for climate action, writes Brook Riley.
The EU should maintain the Energy Charter Treaty
There are fundamental good reasons to continue protecting the investments covered by the Energy Charter Treaty as private investment will be crucial for the vast infrastructure overhauls needed to shift towards renewable energy, writes Dr Frank Umbach.
Energy Charter Treaty strikes again
The RWE case against the implementation of the Dutch climate target provides additional evidence that EU climate law needs provisions to end protection of foreign investment in fossil fuels, argues Dr Yamina Saheb.
The European Bauhaus, an opportunity to shift paradigms and shape our buildings
While the European Commission is well-positioned to initiate the development and implementation of a new European Bauhaus, it must be truly open to the ideas of a wide array of contributors and committed to supporting a diversity of perspectives, writes...
Hiding fossil fuel subsidies under clean energy targets?
To safeguard climate targets’ integrity against greenwashing measures, transparent rules should be in place, write Vlasios Oikonomou and Haris Doukas.
EU climate neutrality by 2050 is not Paris-compatible
The EU's aim for net zero by 2050 is insufficient to meet the Paris Agreement and limit warming to 1.5°C. To avoid climate catastrophe, Europe needs to rethink auctions for renewable energy and reintroducing support for small scale supply, argue Hans-Josef Fell and Dr Thure Traber.Promoted content
PGE: Polish companies ready to race for the Baltic Sea
With the passing of the first Polish offshore wind act, plans for offshore wind development in the Baltic Sea are at hand and the construction of the very first Polish offshore wind farms will soon become a reality. By 2030,...
The Brief – EU energy diplomacy, a carrot that could become a stick
Energy is one of the oldest tools in the diplomatic policy box and it should come as no surprise that the EU appears to be actively seeking to export its climate change policy.
EU electricity markets: Fit for the renewable future or not?
There is growing recognition in the industry that Europe’s wholesale electricity markets will need to be reformed once again to allow higher shares of renewables in the power system, writes Mike Parr.
French citizens want better homes. Why are politicians standing in their way?
If it enshrines into its upcoming climate bill mandatory building renovation, France will answer the Citizens’ Convention on Climate’s call for better homes and contribute significantly to the EU’s 55% emission reduction target by 2030, writes Etienne Charbit.
The EU’s watershed deforestation moment?
This week Ursula von der Leyen signalled the EU’s desire to lead the world in the fight against global deforestation. But if the key drivers of deforestation aren’t addressed, progress will remain limited, writes Julia Christian.
Poland goes all out on coal rescue against EU’s higher climate goal
The Polish government is on the hunt for securing yet another stream of subsidies to its coal industry, two weeks after EU leaders agreed on an enhanced climate target by 2030. But the European Commission can stop this, Elif Gündüzyeli and Joanna Flisowska write.
Energy efficiency: Secret ingredient that can make Turkey’s energy transition a success
Turkey has huge potential in energy efficiency with plans for a 14% reduction into total energy demand by 2023, compared to 2017. To meet that, innovation will need to tap into the knowledge and investments, writes Değer Saygın and Jan Rosenow.
Energy Charter Conference: a ministerial without ministers
EU ministers attending the Energy Charter Conference on 16-17 December should work on the collective withdrawal from the ECT if other contracting parties oppose the phase-out of fossil fuels from the treaty’s binding provisions, argues Dr Saheb.
Offshore wind should be seen as a joint European resource
The European Commission's aim of 300 GW of offshore wind capacity exceeds the needs of coastal states, so countries need to work together to hit this target and achieve the full potential of offshore wind, writes Zsuzsanna Pató.
TAP pipeline is bringing EU energy policy to Azerbaijan
The construction of the TAP pipeline could set an example of what a project developer’s role should be – to build a commercial infrastructure project, while mitigating any potential environmental and social challenges, writes Danila Bochkarev.